2012 Services

Speaker: Rev. Craig MoroHere’s a sermon with a bit of everything in it. It has quails, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, garlic—and even the Great Garloo! How can we get just what we ask for, but nothing that we really want or need? That’s a good question to ask during this holiday season.Worship Associate: Bobi WilsonMusician: Justin King

Speaker: Alex EmigThe UUA includes the “Church of the Larger Fellowship” that enables folks not near a UU congregation to have a church community. Today we’ll hear a sermon that a minister contributed to this larger fellowship.Worship Associate: Alex EmigMusician: Justin King

December 23~ “Tis the Season”

Speaker: The congregation, young and oldAs we move from the Solstice to the warmth of the holidays, we invite you to enjoy the memories, stories and carols of the season. We have some very special music planned, and bring a favorite Christmas or holiday memory (and a prop if you wish) to share. And don't forget to bring cookies for coffee hour!Worship Associate: Diane ReedMusician: Ellen FillionPlease note: There will not be a Christmas Eve service this year.

December 30~“A way of life”

Speaker: Mike TruexWhat do we each hold out as our philosophy for our “way of life”? Do you ponder what you want as a way of life often? Perhaps at the turn of the new year is a good time.Worship Associate: Mike TruexMusician: Mike & Shannon Truex

Speaker: Rev. Craig MoroWhat happens when free speech clashes with words or subjects that areconsidered holy? One book caused an uproar back in 610 when it challengedwhat most folks saw as “divine”. Another one did it in 1989. Then in 2012came an internet video that raises some questions we all need to consider ascitizens—not only of our own nation—but also of the world.Worship Associate: Diane ReedMusician: Justin King

November 11~“On the Eighth Day, God Created…"

Speaker: Rev. Ken JonesConsulting Minister at the UU Church of Yakima~In the wake of the notorious "Citizen's United" Supreme Court decision in2010, there's been a growing backlash against two questionable legalprecepts: that corporations are "persons" and campaign contributions are"speech." Politics aside, these precepts raise some very important questionsof a religious and spiritual nature: just what is a "person," and what arepeople for? What is the source of our legal rights? Are rights endowed to usby a creator, or do we create them out of thin air?Worship Associate: Alex EmigMusician: Fran Handy

Speaker: Rev. Craig MoroWe’ll visit with our old friends Goldilocks (who was an old woman in theoriginal 1834 story, not a little girl!) and the Three Bears again as we pauseto consider the things for which we are thankful. Did you know that the Tricitiestopped the list of “most secure” mid-sized cities in both 2005 and2012? Do you really live in a place where so much is “just right”?Worship Associate: Dave AndersonMusician: Ellen Fillion

November 25~“Imagination Sunday”

Speaker: CUUC MembersToday we circle around our communal fire and follow our imagination intothe realms of make-believe, interconnection with all beings, and our shareddreams for the future. Costumes and puppets will be available to use on ourjourney together – or bring your own!Worship Associate: Shannon Hays~ Truex, Mike Truex and DanMcDonaldMusician: Shannon Hays~ Truex, Mike Truex and Dan McDonald

Speaker: Rev. Craig MoroEarlier this year four Connecticut police officers were arrested by the FBI for violating the civil rights of members of a local immigrant community. We are all descendants of immigrants from other lands. How do some of us decide that newcomers are no longer welcome? Special guest musician, Joseph DeMasi, will join us today. Joseph is an award-winning singer, songwriter, recording artist, and entertainer. He got his start in New York City where he shared the stage with folk music greats including Harry and Tom Chapin, Christine Lavin, and Oscar Brand. In 1992, he formed a trio performing children's music. They have recorded 4 albums and have received many awards for their music, including a Parent’s Choice Gold Seal of Excellence. Joseph also performs at UU churches across the country.Worship Associate: Mike TruexMusician: Joseph DeMasi

October 14~"This I Believe”

Speaker: CUUC Members and FriendsOur Unitarian Universalist principles include encouragement to spiritual growth and a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Today we’ll hear about the spiritual path of some of our members.Worship Associate: Alex EmigMusician: Justin King

Speaker: Rev. Craig MoroThe classic folktale allows us to explore trust between human generations, and to challenge those who would drive a wedge between us for their own purposes. Will we choose Trick, or Treat? Halloween is just around the corner!Worship Associate: Mike TruexMusician: Ellen Fillion

October 28~“UU Women Who Rocked the Vote”

Speaker: Amber Eustis, Vicki Fausz, Denise Pitts, Diane Reed, and Bobi WilsonUnitarian Universalist women like Olympia Brown, Harriot Stanton Blach (daughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton), Julia Ward Howe, Lucy Stone, Susan B. Anthony were instrumental in the women's suffrage movement. They made it possible for a large group of disenfranchised citizens to participate in American government. We'll remember their struggle and honor them by voting November 6.Worship Associate: Diane ReedMusician: Fran Handy

Speaker: Rev. Craig MoroHow do your work, your family life, and your community fit together and support each other—or do they? Donald Hall’s poem Ox-Cart Man (and his children’s story by the same name) will lead us into contemplation on this Labor Day weekend.Worship Associate: Diane ReedMusician: Ellen Fillion

September 9~"Is Your Faith Beyond Belief? How Are You Living?"

Speaker: Homer WilkinsI think of faith as that set of presuppositions on the basis of which one lives his or her life. Many people’s stated beliefs have little if any relevance to the life they live. A relevant faith must be based on real life in this world, and in turn will make a difference in the way you live. Our U.U. principles are not so much statements of beliefs as they are guides for living. The writings of Elaine Pagels will be cited in support of these ideas.Worship Associate: Diane ReedMusician: Ellen Fillion

Speaker: Rev. Craig MoroAfter a summer punctuated by the staccato report of several mass shootings, it’s time to think some more about what firearms mean to those who feel a need to carry them, and also to the rest of us. I’ll share my perspective as a former gun owner and past member of the NRA.Worship Associate: Mike TruexMusician: Fran Handy

September 23~“The Mind's Eye”

Speaker: Kay ScheideggerThe plot thickens – I have several slants to explore on different views. As of the newsletter deadline, I haven’t decided which way to go…nothing remains static! So join us this morning and hear what came of it all.Worship Associate: Alex EmigMusician: Mike & Shannon Truex

September 30~“The Power of Self – A Secular Humanist View”

Speaker: Denise PittsImagine what it would be like if you had the power to make positive change; the power to improve people’s lives and to bring peace to the world. Imagine further what it would be like if that power resided not only inside of you but within us all. We have the power to help all people live a more peaceful life; we just have to acknowledge that the power is there and not be afraid to use it.Worship Associate: Mike TruexMusician: Justin King

AUGUST SERVICESAugust 5~ “Confessions of a Country Bumpkin”

Speaker: Rev. Raz MasonWhat makes a meaningful life? What or who has a claim on you? Sometimessocial messages about prestige and success get in our way of going afterwhat really matters. Raz will share about a 4-month summer adventure as along-haul truck driver, which helped her rediscover her origins as a “countrybumpkin.”Worship Associate: Mike TruexMusician: Justin King

August 12~ " The Nobel Peace Prize for Pete Seeger?”

Speaker: Mike TruexThere’s a website out there promoting a Nobel Peace Prize for Pete Seeger.Why would Pete Seeger deserve a peace prize? What should it take to get aprize for peace?Worship Associate: Mike TruexMusician: Mike & Shannon Truex, Dan McDonald

August 19~ “Church as Life Saving Station”

Speaker: Rev. Duane H. FickeisenDuane will reflect on his experience at Community UU Church in the 1980s,when his engagement with this congregation saved his life. A life-savingstation must be ready to aid those who are foundering in life's storms. Howcan this church be intentional about saving lives?Duane is a retired Unitarian Universalist minister who lives in Portland,Oregon, with his wife the Rev. Judy Welles. He became a UU and was avery active lay leader in CUUC in the 1980s. It was here that he firstunderstood a calling to ordained ministry. He and Judy are the SummerMinisters at First Unitarian Church in Portland, where they are nowmembers.Worship Associate: Diane ReedMusician: Mike & Shannon Truex

August 26~ “Mingling of Waters”

Speaker: CUUC Members and FriendsThe Mingling of Waters is CUUC’s traditional ritual of gathering at the endof summer to mark the beginning of a new church year. Everyone is invitedto bring water that was collected from summer journeys and experiences(symbolic water welcome) and combine it with the water from others. We’llhave a chance to share the essence of our stories from this summer, the partthat has meaning to us, and reaffirm our bonds of community.Worship Associate: Alex EmigMusician: Ellen Fillion

JULY SERVICESJuly 1~ “The Gift of Sight”

Speaker: Dr. James GuzekBlindness has particularly significant impacts to those in third-worldcountries. Much of the blindness that occurs is correctable, but services arelacking. Come hear how people in our Tri-Cities community are helping andwhy they’ve undertaken this important type of outreach.Worship Associate: Mike TruexMusician: Ellen Fillion

Speaker: Rev. Craig MoroIdolatry is the only classic “sin” that’s mentioned by name in our statementof UU Principles, Purposes and Sources. That should get our attention, butwhat exactly does it mean? Is idolatry any form of worship that uses imagesinstead of sticking to words alone? Can scripture-based religions also bepracticed or promoted in idolatrous ways? Let’s dig deeper into suchquestions this morning. (The problem of idolatry has been major focus forour Interfaith Alliance meetings this year. I hope we will see many of ourinterfaith friends today. Please invite anyone else whom you think might beinterested!)Worship Associate: Mike TruexMusician: Justin King

July 15~ “Finding Connections”

Speaker: Alex EmigWhat's the connection between a chicken, a pig, and a cow?Worship Associate: Alex EmigMusician: Ellen Fillion

July 22~ "The Story of Johnny Appleseed"

Speaker: Henry KidwellJohnny Appleseed wasn’t a Unitarian or a Universalist. However, theminister who made him famous was. Come hear their stories.Worship Associate: Mike TruexMusician: Mike & Shannon Truex

July 29~ "Faith Like a River”

Speaker: Diane ReedOur service examines some of the contributions of the Unitarian thread ofour tradition from the noteworthy "Baltimore Sermon" of William ElleryChanning to Thomas Elliot's summer Unitarian gatherings on Star Island offthe coast of New Hampshire.Worship Associate: Diane ReedMuscian: Ellen Fillion

Speaker: Rev. Craig Moro“…They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and notbe weary; they shall walk and not faint.” You may remember theselines from Chariots of Fire, that great movie about runners in the 1924Olympic games. They describe the kind of religious experience thatrenews our sense of physical (as well as spiritual) vigor. Do theydescribe your own religious experience as well? I hope so! And Iwonder if now is a good time for our UU movement to become moreexplicit in celebrating the body than it has been so far?Worship Associate: Vickie FauszMusician: Elisa Garrett, Bethany Dorian and Family, Ellen FillionToday we will also have our Bridging Ceremony in honor of graduatingseniors April Scheidegger and Bethany Dorian.

June 10~"A Perspective on the Circle of Life!"

Speaker: Dan McDonaldCome, join us and see that we are connected: each one to our Source;each one to each other; and each one to community. Come, learn ofthis Circle, continuous and unbroken - this Circle of Life!Worship Associate: Mike TruexMusician: Mike & Shannon Truex, Dan McDonald

Speaker: Rev. Craig MoroDid you know that the Buddha is said to have been a husband and afather before he was a religious teacher? This morning I’ll share astory of his that seems perfect for Father’s Day.Worship Associate: Diane ReedMusician: Ellen Fillion

Speaker: Rev. Craig MoroWhen can “tolerance” of certain behaviors be a disservice to everyoneinvolved? Should the Three Bears have simply tolerated Goldilocks—after she commandeered their bowls, chairs, and beds—without everspeaking up? It’s the simplest stories that can sometimes teach us themost!Worship Associate: Denise PittsMusician: Ellen Fillion & Sean Truex

May 13~“Gnosis = Insight”

Speaker: Frank AndersonThe Gnostic tradition has much for us to consider.Worship Associate: Mike TruexMusician: Ellen Fillion

Speaker: Rev. Craig MoroThat’s a question worth asking. We can be even more specific: isyour religion good for kids? Was your childhood religion good foryou? What does the child’s point of view help us to see more clearlythan we might see otherwise?Worship Associate: Scott WilsonMusician: Ellen Fillion

Speaker: Rev. Craig MoroIt was bound to happen eventually. Palm Sunday and April Fools Day cometogether this morning along with the task of paying honor to the serious andthe silly on the very same Sunday. Where do we even begin? How aboutright at the Pearly Gates of Heaven where we find a priest and a taxi driverwho have both just died? St. Peter says to the taxi driver, “Come with me.”You’ll have to come this morning to hear the rest of the story.Worship Associate: Vickie FauszMusician: Ellen Fillion

April 8~“The Seven Veils”

Speaker: Mike TruexDo we filter our experience of the “real world” with veils? If we remove the veilswhat will be revealed?Worship Associate: Mike TruexMusician: Ellen Fillion

Speaker: Rev. Craig MoroThe book of Revelation is filled with intense imagery—both horrifyingthreats and beautiful promises. It is a big favorite with many on the so-called“Christian right” who try to steal its thunder to use for their own purposes.Today let’s look at what religious liberals can find to treasure in this strangeand powerful book. You might be surprised!Worship Associate: Denise PittsMusician: The Truexperience

Speaker: Diane Reed, Dave Anderson, Kay Scheidegger, and HenryKidwellYou’ll be surprised and enlightened by learning about our own UnitarianUniversalist heroes. Join us as we get acquainted with them.Worship Associate: Diane ReedMusician: Mike & Shannon Truex

MARCH SERVICES

March 4~“Faith, Hope and Silly Little Songs”

Speaker: Rev. Craig MoroSurprise! According to the Bible the first hymn was not sung in praise ofGod. Rather, it was in praise of human connection—body to body—like somany songs we sing today. Was it just a silly little song, or something moreprofound? Find out this morning, when we will also hold our…10th Anniversary Renewal of Vows as a Welcoming Congregation!In 2002, CUUC became a Welcoming Congregation. Five years later werenewed our covenant to embrace full participation by lesbian, gay, bisexualand transgendered people. Now after 10 years, the Washington statelegislature has voted to affirm marriage equality, and the governor has signedthe bill. Let’s celebrate by affirming our vows as a WelcomingCongregation once again this morning! We will also dedicate a plaque inhonor of the Rev. James Stoll, CUUC minister from 1962-69 and the firstopenly gay clergyperson of an established denomination.Worship Associate: Alex EmigMusician: Ellen Fillion

March 11~“The Book of Ruth, Unpacked”

Speaker: Jean JacobsenIn exploring this short, but meaningful book of the Hebrew Bible, we findthat the story of Ruth has something for everyone: it's a window forunderstanding the history and culture of iron age Palestine and has amessage of kindness, with a happy ending.Worship Associate: Mike TruexMusician: Mike & Shannon Truex

Speaker: Rev. Craig MoroAbraham and Sarah were travelers who came away richer from every placethey visited. Their movement—the journey itself—was sacred for them, yes.But a time came for them to invest themselves in a sacred space to share withfuture generations. Our annual stewardship season is a time for us all to dothe same.Worship Associate: Denise PittsMusician: Ellen Fillion & CUUC Choir

March 25~“To Be Announced”

Speaker: Rev. Jim DysonJoin us in welcoming Rev. Dyson as our guest speaker. He is a formerminister at Shalom United Church of Christ in Richland, one of our partnersfor interfaith activities.Worship Associate: Mike TruexMusician: Fran Handy

Speaker: Rev. Craig Moro Hearsay, rumor, tradition and more: you’d better believe that these are bad reasons to believe a religious teaching—the Buddha himself is said to have said so! But you may be surprised by some of the other reasons on his list. This morning we will also have a ceremony of child dedication. (Child dedications are an old Universalist tradition, initiated as an alternative to baptism by the Rev. Jonathan Murray well before the time of the American Revolution!) Worship Associate: Denise Pitts Musician: Ellen Fillion

February 12~ “Kinds of Love”

Speaker: Woman’s Poetry Circle: Sharon Faletti, Gretchen Harder, Irene Hays, Jean Jacobson, Leiloni Mahoney, Kendel Smith, Teri Robertson Some people think there is nothing that needs to be learned about love, that love is simple or easy. One way to question that premise is to explore through poetry (sometimes called the "language of love") the many kinds of love we humans encounter and enjoy. Worship Associate: Diane Reed Musician: Fran Handy

Speaker: Rev. Craig Moro India’s Mahabharata is the longest epic poem in the world, more than ten times the length of the Iliad and the Odyssey combined. Eklavya may be only a “minor” character in this long account of a great civil war, but those who hear his story can never forget it, or the message that it teaches. (This morning’s order of service will feature cover art by our own Vivian Martin.) Worship Associate: Alex Emig Musician: Ellen Fillion & CUUC Choir

February 26~ “Is Forgiveness Always Called For?”

Speaker: Rev. Bruce Bode The matter of forgiveness is close to the heart of daily living. What is forgiveness and what isn’t it? Does forgiving mean forgetting? Does forgiveness imply reconciliation? How does forgiveness relate to justice? What’s the basis of forgiveness? What’s the process of forgiveness? Bruce A. Bode, a native of Lynden, Washington, is serving in his eighth year as the minister of the Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Port Townsend, Washington. Before coming to Port Townsend, Rev. Bode was the Interim Minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston, Texas (2002-2004) and the Hope Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2001-2002). Prior to that, he served for twenty-two years as an associate minister at the Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a large, independent, religiously liberal congregation. One of his interests has been facilitating study groups in adult religious education on poets such as Mary Oliver, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Walt Whitman, Robinson Jeffers, and Billy Collins. Worship Associate: Mike Truex Musician: Mike & Shannon Truex

JANUARY SERVICES

January 1~ “Memories and Visions”

Speaker: CUUC Members and Friends This year, Sunday falls right across the line between the old and new years. A good time to share memories of old and visions for the new. Worship Associate: Alex Emig Musician: Mike & Shannon Truex

Speaker: Rev. Craig Moro Good science fiction deals in big ideas. It imagines whole worlds, their origins and their destinies, much like religious scriptures do. It suggests possibilities and alternatives to what we see around us. Let’s travel through time and space to explore some of these together. Worship Associate: Chrissie Noonan Musician: Ellen Fillion

January 15~ “Mightier Than The Sword”

Speaker: CUUC Members and Friends When words manifest values, there is real power. Let’s look at what was behind the words of Martin Luther King Jr. Worship Associate: Mike Truex Musician: Ellen Fillion & CUUC Choir Note: Today we will collect the “Guest at Your Table” donations.

January 22~ “Why Would Amos Shame Us?”

Speaker: Rev. Craig MoroAmos is known as one of the “minor prophets” of the Bible, but his message is a big one. Are we big enough to hear it, and take it to heart? Worship Associate: Denise Pitts Musician: Fran Handy